Office 2016

As many of you have probably heard, Microsoft released their updated version of Office this past September. Office 2016, which is both available for Windows and Mac computers, has some new features and a slightly new look, but the functionality is pretty consistent with previous versions. However, Microsoft has spent a considerable amount of time making this new version, along with the mobile apps, work seamlessly across platforms. It appears that Microsoft has finally realized the need for consistency with their Office products and they have made the necessary adjustments to provide quality Office applications regardless of PC, Mac, or mobile device (iOS and Android). On top of that, Microsoft has also made these applications available on the web through your Ferris Office 365 accounts for Faculty/Staff/Emeriti. So, with all of these things working together, Microsoft has provided you with a multitude of ways to stay connected with your Office applications and files, regardless of your device and location.

Here are few of the new features within Office 2016:

• Co-Authoring – This is available in both Word and PowerPoint – This allows you to work with others simultaneously on a document regardless of the device you are using.
• Simplified Sharing – This is available in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel – Just click the Share button in the Ribbon for easy sharing right from your Office documents. See who has access to a given document and who is currently working in the document, and change individual authoring permissions for any document you own.
• Real-Time Typing – This is available in Word – As you collaborate with others in a document, see where others are working and view their edits as they happen.
• Modern Attachments – This is available in Outlook – Attach a document from your recent items and share them from OneDrive for Business with email recipients. Also, configure sharing permissions so that all the recipients have access to the attached file without having to leave the app.
• New Chart Types – This is available in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel – Visualize financial and hierarchical data, and highlight statistical properties of your data with new chart types: Treemap, Waterfall, Pareto, Histogram, Box and Whisker, and Sunburst.
• Insert Online Video – This is available in OneNote – Liven up your notes by adding online videos and bringing interactivity to your content.
• Tell Me – This is available in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Project, Visio, and Access – Simply type what you want to do in the app using your own words, and then Tell Me will guide you through the process as well as offer additional resources.
• OneDrive Integration – This is available in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, and Outlook – Access your Office documents from anywhere and any device by saving them to OneDrive, pick up anywhere you left off, and co-author with others from the comfort of your office or home, or even on the go.
• Skype Integration – Use Skype to check in and collaborate with someone using Instant Messaging (IM), voice, video, or screen sharing. Also join online meetings while on the go using the Skype for Business mobile app. See who is online, IM meeting participants, and follow along when a presenter shares his/her screen – all from your tablet or phone.
• Cross-Platform, Cross-Device – This is available in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, and Outlook – Easily switch from one device to the next without missing a beat. View and edit your Office documents across Windows, Android, and Apple devices. Review, edit, analyze, and present with a consistent and familiar user experience across your devices.

At this time, Ferris’ IT department is testing Office 2016 within the department to see how the applications work and if any tweaks or adjustments need to be made prior to a University roll-out. Once ITS has fully tested and created the necessary application installation packages, a deployment schedule will be announced. Tentatively Office 2016 will be available to University owned computers during PCR starting this summer. Also, during this time, the Office 2016 software will be available for home installations through the Office 365 portal.

For more information about Office 2016, please see the following links:

Office 2016 – What’s New and Improved

Office 2016 Quick Start Guides for PC

Office 2016 Quick Start Guides for Mac

Office 2016 Mobile Quick Start Guides

Free Office Products for Faculty & Staff!

The wait is over! Microsoft Office is now FREE for faculty and staff, you no longer have to pay the $9.95 fee. This is for your personal computers, so please do not download onto University computers. For each faculty/staff email address, you can download Office on up to five computers (PC or Macs), and on up to five different mobile devices (iPhones, iPads, tablets, etc.).

Follow these instructions to download Microsoft Office for personal computers.  
Follow these instructions to download Microsoft Office mobile apps for free. These include Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote. 

Written By: Susan Cherry

Free Microsoft Office for Students

ATTENTION STUDENTS!

Ferris State University is now offering Microsoft Office to students for FREE! As long as you’re a current student at Ferris, you’ll be able to use this software for free.

Download Office for FREE and get:

• Get the latest version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more!
• Installation on up to 5 PCs and Macs!
• 5 additional installations on tablets and phones, including iPhone and iPad!
• Gain valuable skills on the world’s most popular productivity software!
• Use the same programs as the faculty to ensure full file compatibility!

To download:

1. Go to office.ferris.edu
2. Sign in using your MyFSU credentials (username@ferris.edu and MYFSU password)
3. Select your language and click install

For more information please review the FAQ at
http://ferris.edu/HTMLS/mytechsupport/sts_iconnect/sts_software_hardware/StudentAdvantageFAQs.htm. If you have trouble downloading the software please contact the TAC @ 231-591-4822 or toll free @ 877-779-4822.

Microsoft Products Available for Employee Home Use

Several Microsoft products are now available for employees to purchase for personal use via the Microsoft Home Use Program. The Microsoft Home Use Program will be the only method to
purchase software for home use through the University. Student Technology Services (STS) will no longer offer software for purchase through their office.


The Microsoft Home Use Program features software at the low price of $9.95 per title. Software available includes Visio, Office Professional Plus 2013 for Windows, Office 2011 for Mac, and Project Professional 2013. Each title will only be available for purchased once per person and will be valid for two installations on the devices of your choice. NOTE: You will only be able to purchase one version (Windows or Mac) of each title.

The license for any Microsoft products purchased through the Home Use Program is valid for current employees. Therefore, if you purchase the software as an employee and are then removed from a current employee status, you will no longer have access to the software.

Reminder: You still can use the online Office Suite products supplied via the Office 365 web version at http://office.ferris.edu – but it will not have all of features the version you have on your computer at work.

How to purchase software for personal use from MyFSU

1. Log into MyFSU
2. Go to the Workplace tab and find the Microsoft Office 365 channel
3. Click “Get Office Products for home”
4. Fill out the form using your @ferris.edu email address and the program code listed below the link in the channel
5. Follow further directions prompted from the site

Unfortunately, emeriti and affiliates are not eligible for this program.

If you have any questions about the Microsoft Home Use Program please review the Microsoft Home Use Program FAQ at
http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/mytechsupport/servicecat/pchardwareandsoftware/sw_hw_employees/MicrosoftHomeUseProgramFAQ.htm or contact TAC at 231-591-4822 or toll free at 877-779-4822.